RuneScape 2

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The information contained within should not be considered fully accurate and/or complete.

RuneScape 2 is one of the largest updates since the game's initial launch. It saw the introduction of a more powerful game engine, three-dimensional graphics, a new combat system, improved sound including the addition of music, and many other new features.

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Jagex first announced the upcoming release of a "much faster 3D engine" on 11 June2002[1]. Over time, Jagex released graphical previews as well as progress reports and other information about the many future changes.

The project was first referred to as "RuneScape 2" in an October 2003 news post[2] (it was previously known as the "big 3D update" or the "new game engine"). It was also revealed that the beta would become available on 1 December.

Jagex originally did not want to create a Hallowe'en event for 2003, because they feared it would delay the planned release date of the beta. In one of their polls, they asked players if they would want a new Hallowe'en event but also delay the release of RuneScape 2 beta, or keep it on schedule and have a "pancake day" in February instead. 78% of voters wanted a 2003 Hallowe'en event.[3] However, RuneScape 2 was still released on schedule, because the developers came in early and on weekends to do extra work.[4].

The new combat system was explained in detail in a 24 November newspost[5].

All members had access to the first phase of RS2 Beta. Their characters and stats were copied over from the live game, but their items and quest history were not. This was deliberate, as Jagex wanted players to test all of their content. Initially, only the Free-to-play area was available with new areas and quests released gradually over the beta period. The Lumbridge Teleport spell was also deliberately broken so that it could be cast without runes even at level 1 Magic. This allowed players to escape to a safe area in the event they found themselves trapped by a glitch.

The second phase of beta began on 3 March2004. Players again had their characters copied over from the live game (including items and quest status this time). The Lumbridge Teleport spell also had its level requirement and rune cost reinstated.

On 17 March, the final phase began. Characters were once again copied over from the live game. For this stage of testing, free players were given access to beta as well as members.

RuneScape 2 was launched on 29 March2004[6]. Players' stats and quest history were copied over to RS2, which became known only as RuneScape to reflect its status as the main game, one last time. Several RuneScape 1 servers were also left online, and it was officially named "RuneScape Classic". Players were given the choice as to which game they wanted their items to be transferred to. Afterwards, they became completely independent of each other (aside from sharing login information and the friends list).

Upgraded 3D graphics, along with animations. Every character in the game had to be redesigned, and the use of polygons allowed a greater level of detail for landscapes (for example, walls and fences could have thickness). Animations used more frames, allowing for smoother motion and a wider variety of animations. The camera was also updated to move vertically as well as horizontally.

New interfaces. Several tabs that were merged together in RS1 (ie Friends list/ignore list, options/logout, magic/prayer) were separated in RS2. Notably, it became much easier to use shops and banks or to trade with other players because players could add or remove large quantities of items with a single click. Dialogue boxes were also introduced for conversations with NPCs, allowing more than one player to talk to a given character at a time.

Upgraded audio system. RS1 only had a small selection of sound effects, and they were only available to members. RS2 added more sound effects, as well as music, for all players. The new Music Player allowed players to unlock and replay songs as they found them.

Bank notes, making it much easier to buy and sell items to other players. This was originally planned as bank-to-bank trading, but was changed because Jagex didn't want banks to become too crowded[8].

Free players were given access to trees and logs up to yew along with bows up to maple (with corresponding arrows up to adamant). It became possible to burn logs above and including oak, and it was no longer necessary to drop logs before lighting them.

NPCs began stunning players instead of attacking them upon unsuccessful pickpocketing.